MHI Solutions Improving Supply Chain Performance
Although Bethany Patterson’s education didn’t focus on supply chain, her career journey eventually led her to a field that has “stretched, challenged and inspired” her in unanticipated ways.
After attending Lee University in Tennessee and transferring to the University of North Carolina—Charlotte, Patterson earned a degree in marketing and international public relations. At the time, she never imagined a career in supply chain or material handling. Yet after working in the volatile real estate sector, she sought a more stable, future‑focused industry. That search ultimately led her to an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) crane manufacturer and systems integrator.
“My transition was more accidental than planned,” she recalled. “A recruiter introduced me to an AS/RS manufacturer, and that’s how I stepped into the world of supply chain and material handling.”
Her career path has been anything but linear. After college, Patterson worked in marketing for real estate brokers and earned her real estate license before realizing she was more passionate about marketing strategy than competitive sales. Freelancing gave her both breadth and independence, followed by positions with nonprofits and marketing agencies. Then that recruiter opened the door into the supply chain.
That step, she said, “cemented my career in this space and ultimately brought me to my current role at MHI Member Slip Robotics.”
Upon joining the industry, Patterson quickly discovered how vital networking would be. At her very first MHI Annual Conference, just six weeks into the industry, she met Tracy Niehaus of Ocado Intelligent Automation. Niehaus advised her to “get connected, get involved. This is a small, interconnected industry where relationships matter.”
“That advice stuck,” Patterson said. “Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how partnerships and personal connections drive opportunity in this space. Your network can be a superpower.”
Currently, Patterson applies her marketing expertise to an industry she described as the “invisible backbone that keeps the world functioning.” She believes supply chain offers opportunities for every skill set—from engineering to human resources—and encourages others to explore its many pathways.
“Absolutely do it,” she said of pursuing supply chain as a career. “The industry is brimming with innovation and opportunity.”
For Patterson, innovation isn’t limited to technology. Workplace culture plays an equally important role in enabling people to thrive. As a working mom, she has firsthand experience with the impact of flexibility and supportive policies.
“At Slip Robotics, innovation extends beyond our technology into our culture,” she explained. “From unlimited PTO and generous maternity leave to a stocked kitchen and espresso machine at the office, our workplace values people as people, not just employees.”
She’s equally passionate about mental health awareness, advocating for more open workplace conversations. “Innovation doesn’t happen in environments where people feel burned out or unseen,” she noted. “By placing people first, companies unlock the creativity and resilience that fuel true innovation.”
Whether in branding, storytelling or culture, Patterson champions new approaches. Quoting Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, she said, “The most dangerous phrase in the English language is: ‘We’ve always done it this way.’” For Patterson, the companies bold enough to challenge old models—whether in scheduling, culture or strategy—will win the future.